CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO REPLAY OF GAME ONE AND TWO
by Jared Gravette, Anniston Star Sports, Photo Courtesy of the Jacksonville News (www.jaxnews.com)
JACKSONVILLE — The East Alabama Big Train kicked off its 2009 campaign Saturday with a doubleheader split against the Columbus Wood Bats, losing 7-5 then winning 1-0.
In the first game, Columbus got on the board first. With the bases loaded, Ben Inman came through with an infield single, pushing Merit Hicks across the plate to put the Wood Bats up 1-0 in the top of the second.
The Big Train answered in a big way in the bottom half of the inning. Columbus pitcher Iain Sebastian walked the first three batters to set up a three-run double from former Oxford standout Chandler Tyree.
Tyree later scored on a throwing error that was followed by a Jono Waugh single, driving in Qualon Millender from third and putting the Big Train up 5-1.
"We swung the bats well in the first game," East Alabama coach Roberto Martinez said.
East Alabama looked to be in command of the contest behind a strong pitching performance from Trey Vice, but things went south in the top of the fifth.
Vice quickly recorded two outs but then began to tire. The UAB pitcher walked the next three batters before giving way to Adam Polston.
Hicks made the Big Train pay for the free passes, clearing the bases with a three-run double and cutting the deficit to one. Kevin Ruiz then tied the game with an RBI single.
"We got into a little bit of a jam after we were up 5-1," Martinez said. "We gave up a big three-run double that really hurt us."
The Wood Bats pushed two more runs across in the sixth inning after a throwing error to seal the victory.
The Big Train had six hits in the contest, five of which came courtesy of former Oxford Yellow Jackets.
In the nightcap, each starter threw a gem. East Alabama's Kelby Deerman pitched six shutout innings, allowing only two hits. Columbus' Levi Futo matched Deerman pitch for pitch, scattering two hits in five innings.
"(Deerman) is a guy that throws anywhere from 80-to-84. He is a soft-throwing lefty that throws a lot of strikes. He commands all three pitches — breaking ball, changeup and fastball. He got in a jam in the middle of the game and got out of it," Martinez said.
Each team struggled to hit the ball in nightcap. The Great South League uses wooden bats, which is something hitters must adjust to.
"With an aluminum bat, hitters can put a bad swing on a pitch and get away with it. With a wood bat, it teaches them how to hit and how to stay inside of the ball and put the barrel on it the right way. It makes a big difference," Martinez said.
The Big Train did manage to push across a run in the second inning that proved to be the difference-maker.
Ryan McCrory walked to start the inning and later moved to second on a passed ball. After the next two hitters were retired, Jeremy Dorrance singled to push McCrory across the plate.
Deerman, who pitches at the University of Alabama, gave way to JSU reliever Bill Henke in the 7th. Henke walked two hitters but was able to get out of the jam to record the save.
The Big Train is scheduled to finish the series with Columbus today at Henry Farms Park. First pitch is scheduled for 2 p.m. The doubleheader saw 205 people in attendance
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